Portable shelf



UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

I. S. VOORHEIS, OF CATLETTSBURG, KENTUCKY.

PORTABLE SHELF.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 25,927, dated October 25, 1859.

T o all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, I. S. VooRHEIs, of Cattletsburg, in the county of Greenup and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Invention to be Known and Used as Voorheiss Fire and Thief Proof Folding Shelves and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the drawings similar characters refer to like parts.

Figure 1 is an isometrical view of the invention when in use as a store &c. Fig. 2 is an isometrical view representing the shelves &c. folded up, ready for removal in case of fire, or for other causes. Fig. 3 is an isometrical view representing the shelves &c. folded up in smaller compass than in Fig, 2, so as to be removed, when the door through which they pass is less in height than the shelves in their natural position.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.

The nature of my invention consists in the manner hereinafter set forth and described of folding and removing shelves &c. of stores, street stands, bookcases &c. for security from thieves and fire.

A represents a series of shelves; B the outer casing which forms the back and outer sides of the shelves, drawers, and chests; A the counter shelf; this shelf is hung on hinges so as to be folded up out of the way;

C a series of drawers with flush handles a; D a series of large chests or boxes at the base for the reception of heavy goods such as tobacco boxes, tea chests and so forth; E, casters upon which the shelves and so forth roll when removed; F the hinges for hinging the two series of shelves; F the hinges for hinging the two series of drawers and chests; Gr the hinges for connecting the series of shelves to the series of drawers and chests; Gr the movable pintle of hinges Gr; H the fastenings for securing the arrangement when folded- I may ind it desirable to use spring locks for facility of fastening, and they may, all four of them be different in size or construction for greater security; I handles for removing.

In the operation of my invention: in Fig. l the shelves chests, and drawers are represented in the position they occupy when used during sale hours; if now it be wished to close the shelves either to keep out dust vermin air or thieves, we first remove the counter, which for convenience should be placed on casters, we then take hold of one of the handles I, and move its section of shelves and chests and drawers up against the other section, when it is secured either by means of latches or spring locks as seen in Fig. 2. If now there be occasion to move the contents of the store either on account of fire, or changeof place of business, one or more men by taking hold of the handles can readily do so, thus avoiding the labor and confusion consequent upon removing so great a number of small articles, and at the same time doing it very much more rapidly and safely, Should the door through which it has to pass, be less in height than the shelves &c., it will be necessary to fold it again, by turning the shelf-section on hinges Gr until it assumes the position represented in Fig. 3. In this position its altitude is lessened by half. Should `it now be too wide to pass the door, or too heavy for the force on hand to move, we have merely to withdraw movable pintle G when it separates into two equal portions which can readily pass the door or be moved by one man.

. Having thus fully described the construction and operation of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Constructing portable box shelving for stores, book-cases, and all similar purposes in the manner described and operating as set forth.

I. S. VOORHEIS. Witnesses:

CHAs. E. ZURGHE, Jos. C. CLAYTON. 

